Storm Friederike brought powerful winds, heavy rain and snowfall to parts of Germany on Thursday, causing at least one fatality and severe disruption to railway lines.
A 59-year-old man was killed by a falling tree and several people were injured in similar incidents throughout the country following the arrival of the storm in the morning.
Trains ceased operation in the states of North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony, leaving many passengers stranded. Furthermore, travel speeds of trains in other parts of Germany were slowed considerably in reaction to hurricane-strength gusts, Xinhua news agency reported.
So far, extreme wind strengths of up to 130 kmph have been measured at higher elevations of Western Germany. Large amounts of snow fell closer to the Alps in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
The national meteorological service (DWD) has advised citizens to remain indoors in areas most-affected by the storm due to risks posed by falling debris, de-rooted trees, and potential damage to power lines. Schools in several German states were closed for the day.
Major airports have been adversely affected by the weather as well. Flights were cancelled out of security concerns at Duesseldorf airport, while the Cologne-Bonn airport was forced to temporarily close down entirely.
--IANS
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